That’s the main topic of conversation on our special summer edition of the HI/O Show with host Stu Cowan joined by Pat Hickey, Jack Todd and Mike Boone:

]]>http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/hio-show-summer-edition-has-gm-marc-bergevin-done-enough-to-improve-canadiens/feed8HIO-SITE-HIOS-S1-070215HIO-SITE-HIOS-S1-070215HI/O Show: How can Canadiens become legitimate Stanley Cup contenders?http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/hio-show-how-can-canadiens-become-legitimate-stanley-cup-contenders
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/hio-show-how-can-canadiens-become-legitimate-stanley-cup-contenders#commentsWed, 13 May 2015 17:50:21 +0000http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/?p=86636The Canadiens’ Stanley Cup drought hit 22 years — and counting — when they were eliminated by the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

On the final HI/O Show of the season, former Canadien Chris Nilan, columnist Jack Todd, reporter Jessica Rusnak of TSN Radio 690 and Montreal Gazette sports editor/host Stu Cowan break down why the Canadiens couldn’t beat the Lightning and what the club has to do in the future to become a legitimate Stanley Cup contender before their window of opportunity with Carey Price, P.K. Subban and Max Pacioretty closes.

After dropping the first two games to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference semifinal series the heat was on the Canadiens and coach Michel Therrien. But does Therrien really have the players to compete against the Lightning and their offensive power in a seven-game series?

That’s one of the questions the panel answers. Check it out on the video below:

]]>http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/hio-show-the-heat-is-on-canadiens-and-coach-therrien-in-tampa/feed10HIO-SITE-HIOS-Eps30HIO-SITE-HIOS-Eps30HI/O Show: Former NHL referee Kerry Fraser joins the panel to talk Habs and officiatinghttp://www.hockeyinsideout.com/videos/hio-show-former-nhl-referee-kerry-fraser-joins-the-panel-to-talk-habs-and-officiating
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/videos/hio-show-former-nhl-referee-kerry-fraser-joins-the-panel-to-talk-habs-and-officiating#commentsWed, 29 Apr 2015 17:59:49 +0000http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/?p=86473Former NHL referee Kerry Fraser is the special guest on this week’s HI/O Show, joining former Canadien Chris Nilan and columnist Jack Todd on the panel along with Montreal Gazette sports editor/host Stu Cowan, to discuss officiating in the NHL and the Canadiens’ first-round playoff victory over the Ottawa Senators.

Check it out by clicking on the video below:

]]>http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/videos/hio-show-former-nhl-referee-kerry-fraser-joins-the-panel-to-talk-habs-and-officiating/feed12HIO-SITE-HIOS-Eps29HIO-SITE-HIOS-Eps29HI/O Show: ‘Tweak Master’ Bergevin has quickly turned Habs into Cup contendershttp://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/hio-show-character-and-goaltending-are-the-keys-to-habs-success
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/hio-show-character-and-goaltending-are-the-keys-to-habs-success#commentsWed, 22 Apr 2015 18:22:38 +0000http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/?p=86400Former Canadien Chris Nilan, columnist Jack Todd and Jessica Rusnak of TSN Radio 690 join Montreal Gazette sports editor/host Stu Cowan on this week’s HI/O Show to discuss the Habs-Senators series and talk about how Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin — called the “Tweak Master” by Todd — has turned this franchise around so quickly by focusing on character players:

Check it out by clicking on the video below:

]]>http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/hio-show-character-and-goaltending-are-the-keys-to-habs-success/feed11HIO-SITE-HIOS-Eps28HIO-SITE-HIOS-Eps28HI/O Show: Bring on the Senators! Panel says pressure is on Habs in first-round serieshttp://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/hio-show-bring-on-the-senators
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/hio-show-bring-on-the-senators#commentsWed, 15 Apr 2015 16:58:56 +0000http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/?p=86333Ken Warren, who covers the Senators for the Ottawa Citizen, joins the panel for this week’s HI/O show to discuss the first-round playoff series between the Canadiens and Sens, joined by former Hab Chris Nilan, columnist Jack Todd and Montreal Gazette sports editor/host Stu Cowan.

Find out what the panel thinks will be the keys for both teams and get their predictions on the series.

Check it out by clicking on the video below:

]]>http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/hio-show-bring-on-the-senators/feed17HIO-SITE-HIOS-Eps27HIO-SITE-HIOS-Eps27HI/O Show: What happens if Habs go without Pacioretty?http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/hio-show-what-happens-if-habs-go-without-pacioretty
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/hio-show-what-happens-if-habs-go-without-pacioretty#commentsWed, 08 Apr 2015 18:47:14 +0000http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/?p=86274One week before the start of the playoffs, the question on everyone’s mind is how long Max Pacioretty will be sidelined. Will he be back in time for the playoffs and, more importantly, can the Habs survive the first round without him?

]]>http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/hio-show-what-happens-if-habs-go-without-pacioretty/feed220113 spt nhl canadiens-2A.JPGMONTREAL, QUE.: JANUARY 12, 2014 -- Montreal coach, Michel Therrien speaks with his players during a Canadiens practice at Bell Sports Complex in Brossard on Monday January 12, 2015. The Habs prepares to visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday.(Marie-France Coallier / Montreal Gazette)0113 spt nhl canadiens-2A.JPGHI/O Show: Are the Habs showing signs of weakness?http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/hio-show-are-the-habs-showing-signs-of-weakness
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/hio-show-are-the-habs-showing-signs-of-weakness#commentsWed, 01 Apr 2015 18:06:52 +0000http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/?p=86213After dropping their fifth straight game to the Tampa Bay Lightning Monday, the Habs are showing signs of weakness with the playoffs around the corner. Do the Canadiens just match up poorly against the Bolts or is Tampa Bay simply exposing some of the team’s glaring flaws?

]]>http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/hio-show-are-the-habs-showing-signs-of-weakness/feed126HIO-SITE-HIOS-Eps25HIO-SITE-HIOS-Eps25HI/O Show: Habs first team in NHL to hit 100-point mark, but are they ready for playoffs?http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/hio-show-habs-first-team-in-nhl-to-hit-100-point-mark-but-are-they-ready-for-playoffs
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/hio-show-habs-first-team-in-nhl-to-hit-100-point-mark-but-are-they-ready-for-playoffs#commentsWed, 25 Mar 2015 18:11:50 +0000http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/?p=86086Regular HI/O Show guest Chris Nilan was a late unhealthy scratch for this week’s show, but columnist Jack Todd and Jessica Rusnak of TSN Radio 690 join Montreal Gazette sports editor/host Stu Cowan to discuss the latest Canadiens news.

The Canadiens became the first team in the NHL to hit the 100-point mark this season, but the panel discusses whether they can win in the postseason with a defence-first mentality while counting on goalie Carey Price. And Todd, who was covering the Canadiens when José Theodore won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s MVP for the 2001-02 season, compares his season with what Price has done this year.

Other topics of conversation include:

P.K. Subban’s penalty that cost the Habs a point in Nashville with an overtime loss.

Are the NHL referees picking on the Canadiens when it comes to diving/embellishing?

Will not having a captain pose a problem for the Canadiens in the playoffs?

Watch the HI/O Show by clicking on the video below:

]]>http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/hio-show-habs-first-team-in-nhl-to-hit-100-point-mark-but-are-they-ready-for-playoffs/feed7HIO-SITE-HIOS-Eps24HIO-SITE-HIOS-Eps24HI/O Show: Canadiens still have some problems that need to be fixed before the playoffshttp://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/hio-show-canadiens-still-have-some-problems-that-need-to-be-fixed-before-the-playoffs
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/hio-show-canadiens-still-have-some-problems-that-need-to-be-fixed-before-the-playoffs#commentsWed, 18 Mar 2015 17:53:20 +0000http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/?p=85962Former Canadien Chris Nilan and columnist Jack Todd are joined by Jessica Rusnak of TSN Radio 690 on this week’s HI/O Show along with Montreal Gazette sports editor/host Stu Cowan.

The panel discusses why Michel Therrien doesn’t seem to have the confidence of many Canadiens fans despite the fact his team is at the top of the NHL standings and Nilan talks about one major problem that the head coach needs to take responsibility for.

There is also discussion about what the Canadiens need to fix before the playoffs start and about the parity in today’s NHL, which makes just qualifying for the playoffs an accomplishment.

Other topics of conversation include the disappointing play of Devante Smith-Pelly since he was acquired by the Canadiens at the trade deadline, the continuing improvement of 19-year-old Jacob De La Rose and why the future looks bright for the Canadiens.

Watch the show by clicking on the video below:

]]>http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/hio-show-canadiens-still-have-some-problems-that-need-to-be-fixed-before-the-playoffs/feed8HIO-SITE-HIOS-EPS23HIO-SITE-HIOS-EPS23Episode 22: Can the Canadiens beat the Lightning in a playoff series?http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/episode-22-can-the-canadiens-beat-the-lightning-in-a-playoff-series
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/episode-22-can-the-canadiens-beat-the-lightning-in-a-playoff-series#commentsFri, 13 Mar 2015 00:41:46 +0000http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/?p=85811Can the Canadiens beat the Tampa Bay Lightning in a seven-game playoff series?

That’s the first question tackled on this week’s HI/O Show as former Canadien Chris Nilan of TSN Radio 690, columnist Jack Todd and Michael Farber of Sports Illustrated and TSN join Montreal Gazette sports editor/host Stu Cowan on the panel.

The panel also discusses what newcomers Jeff Petry, Brian Flynn and Torrey Mitchell — all acquired on trade-deadline day — can bring to the Canadiens and give their first impressions of Devante Smith-Pelly, who was acquired last week.

The panel also weighs in on the issue of tanking in the NHL to get the No. 1 draft pick and tackles the question: If the 2005 draft was held today would Sidney Crosby or Carey Price be the No. 1 pick?

There’s also a discussion about the ongoing soap-opera saga with the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Rangers going for it all this season with their trade-deadline moves.

Fans voting on that poll question on hockeyinsideout.com have been split almost 50/50 and it’s the first question the panel tackles on this week’s HI/O Show as former Canadien Chris Nilan of TSN Radio 690 joins Montreal Gazette hockey writer Christopher Curtis, Sportsnet commentator and longtime Montreal radio personality Ted Bird of the new The Jewel 106.7 and sports editor/host Stu Cowan.

Nilan explains why the trade could be a win/win situation for both teams — and he has a very interesting description of what type of player Sekac is — and also talks about how Smith-Pelly is one of the pieces you need in the playoffs. Curtis talks about how Sekac fit awkwardly in the Habs’ locker room and Bird discusses the confidence Habs fans have gained in GM Bergevin.

Other topics of discussion include:

Does Bergevin need to make another move before the March 2 trade deadline?

Is Therrien a legitimate candidate for the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s best coach this season?

Can this team win if it didn’t have Carey Price?

Why do the Habs play poorly against bad teams and great against good teams?

Check it out below:

]]>http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/episode-20-panel-weighs-in-on-the-jiri-sekac-trade-for-devante-smith-pelly/feed20HIO-SITE-HIOS-EPS20HIO-SITE-HIOS-EPS20Episode 19: Does Habs GM Marc Bergevin need to make a move before NHL trade deadline?http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/episode-19-does-habs-gm-marc-bergevin-need-to-make-a-move-before-nhl-trade-deadline
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/episode-19-does-habs-gm-marc-bergevin-need-to-make-a-move-before-nhl-trade-deadline#commentsWed, 18 Feb 2015 19:19:27 +0000http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/?p=85275Former Canadien Chris Nilan, columnist Jack Todd and Habs blogger Mike Boone join Montreal Gazette sports editor/host Stu Cowan on this week’s HI/O Show with the big question being: Does Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin need to make a move before the NHL trade deadline or should he stick with the team he has now?

Other topics of discussion include:

Would the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Phil Kessel be a good fit in Montreal?

Is Carey Price now better than Patrick Roy in his prime?

Does calling up Greg Pateryn from Hamilton have any reflection on Jarred Tinordi?

Is Jacob De La Rose the Canadiens’ No. 1 centre of the future?

The tragic death of former NHLer Steve Montador and memories of former Hab John Kordic.

Check it out below:

]]>http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/episode-19-does-habs-gm-marc-bergevin-need-to-make-a-move-before-nhl-trade-deadline/feed7HIO-SITE-HIOS-EPS19HIO-SITE-HIOS-EPS19Episode 18: Remembering Claude Ruel, sharing Habs coaching stories — including Michel Therrien’s ‘lucky suit’ — and more with Michael Farberhttp://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/episode-18-remembering-claude-ruel-sharing-habs-coaching-stories-including-therriens-lucky-suit-with-michael-farber
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/episode-18-remembering-claude-ruel-sharing-habs-coaching-stories-including-therriens-lucky-suit-with-michael-farber#commentsWed, 11 Feb 2015 19:06:11 +0000http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/?p=85126Michael Farber of Sports Illustrated and TSN joins regular panel guests Chris Nilan and Jack Todd on this week’s HI/O Show, along with Montreal Gazette sports editor/host Stu Cowan, to remember former Canadiens coach Claude Ruel — who passed away this week at age 76 — and share stories about their favourite all-time Habs coaches. Nilan also speaks about the key role Ruel played in his development as a player.

Other topics of discussion include Michel Therrien’s “lucky suit” and whether the Canadiens have been good or lucky this season; what the Habs should and shouldn’t do before the March 2 trade deadline; the recent play of Dale Weise and David Desharnais on the No. 1 line with Max Pacioretty; and 19-year-old rookie Jacob de la Rose impressing Therrien with his play at centre on the fourth line.

Check it out below:

]]>http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/episode-18-remembering-claude-ruel-sharing-habs-coaching-stories-including-therriens-lucky-suit-with-michael-farber/feed21HIO-SITE-HIOS18HIO-SITE-HIOS18Episode 17: Sportsnet play-by-play man John Bartlett joins the panel this week to talk Habshttp://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/episode-17-sportsnet-play-by-play-man-john-bartlett-joins-the-panel-to-talk-habs
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/episode-17-sportsnet-play-by-play-man-john-bartlett-joins-the-panel-to-talk-habs#commentsWed, 04 Feb 2015 19:26:42 +0000http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/?p=84954Sportsnet play-by-play man John Bartlett — who used to be the “voice of the Canadiens” on TSN Radio 690 — joins former Canadien Chris Nilan, columnist Jack Todd and sports editor/host Stu Cowan on this week’s show to discuss the latest Habs news.

Among the topics: Carey Price for the Hart Trophy; the Canadiens being listed at 12-1 odds to win the Stanley Cup; the Groundhog Day performance of the Habs with their slow starts this season; why can’t Lars Eller hit the net; and a happy homecoming to the Bell Centre for former Canadiens Brian Gionta and Josh Gorges with the Buffalo Sabres.

You can check out the show below:

]]>http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/episode-17-sportsnet-play-by-play-man-john-bartlett-joins-the-panel-to-talk-habs/feed14HIO-SITE-HIOS-17HIO-SITE-HIOS-17Episode 16: The Carey Price Show and second-guessing Habs coach Michel Therrienhttp://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/episode-16-the-carey-price-show-and-second-guessing-habs-coach-michel-therrien
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/episode-16-the-carey-price-show-and-second-guessing-habs-coach-michel-therrien#commentsWed, 28 Jan 2015 19:19:23 +0000http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/?p=84783Former Canadien Chris Nilan and columnist Jack Todd are back on the panel for this week’s HI/O Show, joined by Jessica Rusnak of TSN Radio 690 and Montreal Gazette sports editor/host Stu Cowan.

Among the topics discussed are the Carey Price Show, with the goaltender continuing to steal points for the Canadiens, Michel Therrien’s strategy being questioned — which resulted in the coach saying “second guessing is the easiest thing to do in the world” — yet another brutal All-Star Game, Alexei Emelin’s struggles on the blue line and Martin Brodeur’s decision to retire.

Check it out below:

]]>http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/episode-16-the-carey-price-show-and-second-guessing-habs-coach-michel-therrien/feed46HIO-SITE-HIOS-EPS16HIO-SITE-HIOS-EPS16Episode 15: Habs head into all-star break on a winning notehttp://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/episode-15-habs-head-into-all-star-break-on-winning-note
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/episode-15-habs-head-into-all-star-break-on-winning-note#commentsWed, 21 Jan 2015 19:09:03 +0000http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/?p=84708Former Canadien Chris Nilan is back on the panel for this week’s HI/O Show, joining columnist Jack Todd, radio personality and comedian Ted Bird — who is now also working for Sportsnet — and Montreal Gazette sports editor/host Stu Cowan to discuss the latest news surrounding the Canadiens as they head into the all-star break.

Among the topics discussed are the way the Canadiens keep winning games despite slow starts — they rank last in the NHL in first-period goals and second in third-period goals — coach Michel Therrien saying he “really appreciates” the way P.K. Subban is now playing, whether it would have been a good idea for Carey Price to skip the All-Star Game, and the likelihood of a Canadiens-Bruins Winter Classic game on New Year’s Day 2016 in Boston.

Nilan also talks about something he has in common with Price and there’s a suggestion for what the Toronto Maple Leafs can do with the sweaters their fans have been throwing on the ice in disgust.

Among the topics discussed are coach Michel Therrien’s decision to drop Alex Galchenyuk from the No. 1 line — was it a good move? — how the line changes could create a healthy competition within the club, just how important is the power play when it comes to winning in the NHL, and who — if anyone — is to blame for prospect Jarred Tinordi getting knocked out in an AHL fight with the Hamilton Bulldogs?

Check it out below:

]]>http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/episode-14-can-habs-keep-winning-with-a-struggling-power-play/feed11HIO-SITE-HIOS011415HIO-SITE-HIOS011415Episode 13: Habs looking good at midway point of seasonhttp://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/episode-13-habs-looking-good-at-midway-point-of-season
http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/show/episode-13-habs-looking-good-at-midway-point-of-season#commentsWed, 07 Jan 2015 20:22:53 +0000http://www.hockeyinsideout.com/?p=84429Despite a 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night, the Canadiens were sitting in second place in the Eastern Conference with a 26-12-2 record for 54 points. The Habs will reach the midway point of the season Saturday when they play their 41st game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Will the Habs get more than 54 points in the second half?

That’s one of the questions answered on this week’s HI/O Show as former Canadien Chris Nilan joins columnist Jack Todd, Jessica Rusnak of TSN Radio 690 and Montreal Gazette sports editor/host Stu Cowan.

Other topics of conversation include P.K. Subban’s undisciplined penalty against the Lightning and coach Michel Therrien’s reaction to it, the Habs’ struggling power play, and the mess that is the Toronto Maple Leafs.